THE SO-CALLED TOBACCO WIRE WORM IN VIRGINIA. 



7 



ing a little beyond the middle of the costa, extending outward, forming a very acute 

 angle, thence backward across the end of the cell to the hind margin, a little beyond 

 the middle, and giving off an outward angle on the fold. Subterminal line dark brown, 

 edged outwardly with dark lead-colored scales, and frequently dentate along the first 

 part of its course. It arises from the costa about half way between the median line and 

 the apex, extending down to a point beyond the end of the cell, where it forms an out- 

 ward angle, thence to the hind margin, a little within the anal angle, giving off an 

 inward angle on the fold. This angle is frequently connected along the fold with the 

 outward angle of the median line; terminal line dark brown, rather indistinct. The 

 lines are often obliterated more or less, especially the median. Fringes dark leaden 

 gray. Hind wings dark fuscous; fringes a little lighter. [Fernald, 1896.] (See fig. 1.) 



The moths vary somewhat in color and distinctness of markings, 

 some specimens being much darker than others when first trans- 

 formed. In the hind whig the frenulum is a single short spine in the 

 male. In the female the frenulum is more slender and is very finely 

 divided at the tip. In the female of a number of other 

 species of this genus the frenulum consists of two dis- 

 tinct spines. 



LIFE HISTORY. 



HABITS OF THE MOTHS. 



The moths fly during late afternoon, on dark days, 

 and during the early part of the night. They are 

 attracted to light, but in comparatively small num- 

 bers considering their great abundance at certain 

 times. The majority of the females collected at trap 

 lights are those which , have deposited their eggs. 

 During the day, when disturbed, they make short, 

 erratic nights, usually alighting head downward on 

 the stems of weeds and grasses, their tightly closed 

 wings and grayish color making them very inconspic- 

 uous. As with other members of the genus Crambus, their long palpi, 

 extending parallel to the stem of the plant on which they are at rest, 

 help to make the outlines of the body conform to the appearance of 

 that part of the plant. 



oviposrnoN. 



When the moths were confined in cages, the eggs were deposited at 

 random over the surface of the ground. They seemed dry when 

 deposited, rolled about easily, and did not adhere to papers placed 

 over the soil in the rearing cages, or to glass when females were con- 

 fined in large test tubes. Normally the eggs are doubtless placed in 

 the same manner, for on two occasions eggs were found on the upper 

 surface of leaves of sweetbrier lying flat on the ground. Egg laying 

 commences shortly after the moths emerge. Fertile eggs were not 

 obtained from moths reared in the casfes. 



Fig. 5.— Thetotaacco 

 Crambus: Pupa. 

 Much enlarged. 

 (Original.) 



